Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy Edmondo Cirielli criticized the statements of French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné on Azerbaijani-Armenian normalization, which “do not contribute to defusing the situation,” Report informs via Giornale Diplomatico.

Commenting on the words of the French minister, voiced at a press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Cirielli noted that any short-sighted statement by representatives of institutions other than the parties involved in the Azerbaijani-Armenian peace process risks aggravating tensions.

“Azerbaijan, which is hosting the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), takes a responsible position, and the statements of the Foreign Affairs Minister of the French Republic, Stéphane Séjourné, at a joint press conference with the US Secretary of State, certainly do not contribute to defusing the situation. It would be appropriate and helpful if French Minister Séjourné did not undermine the efforts of those who, guided by common sense, are moving forward to achieve lasting peace in the region,” Edmondo Cirielli said.

On April 2, the spokesperson of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Azerbaijan, Aykhan Hajizada, commented on the groundless accusations brought against Azerbaijan by the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Stéphane Séjourné, at a joint press conference with the US Secretary of State.

Hajizada emphasized that these statements by the French minister are another striking example of France’s attempts to create obvious tension in the region and impede the peace process.